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Aaron Rodgers spent years learning behind a legend, while too many of his peers were tossed into the fire and consumed beyond recognition. Last year's newbies did the opposite, torching the NFL and raising expectations for this year's class of rookie signal-callers.

Geno Smith, Matt Barkley and Ryan Nassib are on the hook to make an impact, but some first-year passers have a better shot to thrive based solely on the situations they've been dropped into.

With that in mind, here's my list of quarterbacks with the best chance to succeed in the NFL based on where they were drafted. This isn't about who's first to play -- often an ominous distinction -- but long-term growth at the quarterback position.

Coach Greg Schiano wanted competition for Josh Freeman, and found his guy in Glennon, a strong-armed, long-passer whom NFL Films tape-watcher Greg Cosell fell in love with during the pre-draft process. The pressure in Tampa falls on Freeman, not Glennon.

With proper teaching, this former N.C. State passer could find himself in a good position to eventually run the show.

I'm not as down on this pick as some, but you don't draft Manuel at No. 16 overall to sit and watch. Coach Doug Marrone might opt to feature Manuel in subpackages early with Kevin Kolb running the base offense.

Star-crossed Matt Flynn can't seem to shake rookie passers with the last name Wilson. Russell stole his job with the Seattle Seahawks and Tyler -- picked up in the fourth round -- will have a chance to do the same in Oakland.

The Jets are an easy target, but I don't drop Smith to No. 7 to dump on Gang Green or this player. I'm scared for Smith when I read hyperbole labeling him "the future of the franchise."

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The Jets' talent-poor offense places tremendous pressure on Geno -- if he wins the job -- to do it all from Day 1. Unlike the Giants, the Jets are in transition, with a coach on the hot seat, quarterback Mark Sanchez questioning his existence and an owner desperate for media attention in a city that spits out losers.

If Smith emerges victorious, he'll be a legend in Florham Park until the end of days.

Talk about an intriguing signing by the Jaguars. The undrafted Scott is a read-option-friendly passer who figures in as a dark-horse candidate to challenge for snaps in a town willing to embrace someone other than Blaine Gabbert. Keep an eye on this one.